As I sit at home in Seattle, listening to the drone of helicopters (rush-hour reporters over the freeway nearby), I'm reminded of the sick feeling when I first smell smoke in the air and start hearing heli's hauling firefighters and water into the wilderness. Fire is a primary reason for our effort to manage our small forest in Chelan County WA. "Firewise" is the prescription we have tried to follow since 2001. It's manageable for 2-3 acres, but expensive for 20 acres. Fortunately, the state is paying for a sizeable chunk of the work through matching funds.
From the WSU Small Forest Landowner Office Newsletter:
Fire Season Outlook 2008
The 2008 fire season is expected to be normal through August. Snowmelt is expected to occur late this year due to current snow pack levels and cool spring temperatures, and this is expected to delay the risk of wildfires in the high country until late in the season. May and June are expected to be cool but dry, followed by a warm and dry later summer. Fire potential is expected to increase to normal levels by the middle of fire season as grasses and sagebrush dry out in warmer and drier conditions. The greatest risk of wildfire is expected to be in July, August and September.
Accurately predicting the severity of the fire season is a challenge because of the many variables involved, including lightning strikes, which cause many of Eastern Washington’s wildfires each year. Every year, DNR prepares for a worst-case fire season, and 2008 is no exception.
This spring DNR has sent employees to support other states in fighting wildfires, including New Mexico, North Dakota, and Florida. This cooperative arrangement provides valuable training for Washington’s firefighters, in addition to fostering the desire of other states to help us when we need assistance fighting these dangerous fires.
Firewise Program
In addition to DNR staff, many conservation districts around Washington are helping landowners and communities to prepare for the fire season with the Firewise program. Forest landowners around the state are encouraged to take measures to reduce their fire risk.
Firewise Communities/USA is a unique opportunity available to America's fire-prone communities. Its goal is to encourage and acknowledge action that minimizes home loss to wildfire. It teaches you to prepare for a fire before it occurs. The program adapts especially well to small communities, developments and residential associations of all types. Firewise Communities/USA is a simple, three-legged template that is easily adapted to different locales. It works in the following way:
* Wildland fire staff from federal, state or local agencies provide a community with information about coexisting with wildfire along with mitigation information tailored to that specific area.
* The community assesses its risk and creates its own network of cooperating homeowners, agencies and organizations.
* The community identifies and implements local solutions.
There is a multitude of information available on how to improve the wildfire safety of your home and property as well as how to work as a community to achieve these goals. Please visit www.firewise.org for this information.
To find out if your home is Firewise, please take the “How Firewise Are You?” quiz at http://www.firewise.org/fw_youcanuse/quiz/are-you.html
Contact your local Conservation District to learn more about Firewise opportunities in your area and to learn more about other forestry programs that they may offer. District staff may be willing to come give you a free assessment of your fire risk. Conservation Districts are a great source of local information and are staffed by knowledgeable natural resources technicians.
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